Health/Medical Preparatory Programs at College of Our Lady of the Elms

This post-baccalaureate certificate program produces surprisingly weak outcomes for a health-focused credential. While graduates earn $21,195 one year out—which actually matches the Massachusetts median for this program—that figure ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs elsewhere produce better earnings. Combined with $33,000 in debt, graduates face a debt-to-income ratio of 1.56, requiring them to earn nearly two years of their full salary just to cover what they borrowed.

The state percentile (60th) might seem encouraging at first glance, but Massachusetts only has one school offering this certificate, making that comparison meaningless. The real concern is how far these outcomes lag behind the national landscape, where the typical program produces $26,917 in first-year earnings—26% more than Elms graduates earn. That's not a trivial gap for someone who's already completed a bachelor's degree and is investing additional time and money into medical preparation.

For a parent whose child already has an undergraduate degree, this represents a risky investment. Your graduate would need significant earnings growth beyond that first year to justify the debt burden, and post-baccalaureate health prep programs typically serve as stepping stones to further training rather than standalone credentials. If the goal is medical school or another health profession, the immediate earnings may be less relevant—but the $33,000 debt adds to an already-growing education burden.